Bars in Glebe

The Friend in Hand
The Friend in Hand is so crammed with bric-a-brac, it's hard to make out the bar for all the mannequin legs, super soakers, bear traps and empty birdcages. Back in the day, the meat raffle used to be free to enter when you bought a drink, but these days you have to pay. The prize is the same, though - meat trays, your pick of a bottle of house spirit or ten free schooners. This Glebe institution is most famous, however, for the crab races that happen each week. Every Wednesday night at 7.30, hopefuls crowd around the circular table to place bets on the sand crabs. First crustacean to make it to the edge wins. On-tap choices are pretty modest – there's Reschs, VB, Guinness and Coopers Pale – but what they pour, they pour bloody well. They're also an early opener: the truly thirsty can get a beer here at 6am on a Wednesday.

Different Drummer
A favourite with Glebe's glitterati, DD is packed three deep at all times and has a working model train that makes its way around the room. Any time after lunch you'll see people leaning out the front window, drink in hand, soaking up Sydney. The sangria is a signature, but they also boast local and imported beers. Drinks are two-for-one between 6pm and 7.30pm and the place is open till 2am. Whether you pinch a pozzy out back in the garden or brave the throng in the dark pockets of the main bar, this Drummer has a beat all its own.

The Australian Youth Hotel/Nude
This former brothel has been lushly restored and hasn't lost its erotic edge. Park yourself near the fireplace on red velvet antique sofas or leather furnishings under the ornate chandeliers accented by sheer curtains. The old-fashioned darkwood bar at the centre is grand, but the little surrounding floorspace makes getting to it difficult, so be prepared to make friends with whoever you’re pushed up against. They serve everything from an S&M (Cognac, cinnamon, vanilla and cream) to a Sadistic (absinthe, mint, pineapple and sugar) but if straight up is where you’re at, try the Margarita. Don't like cocktails? Prop up the comfy old bar downstairs and drink one of their well poured schooners.

The Roxbury Hotel
The Rox has loads of comedy and cabaret, but their absolute don't-miss is the regular Red Card Comedy nights. Up to a dozen comedians get up with their best three minutes but – and here's where the cards come in – they have to win over the three judges from the audience, each of whom has a red card to hold up if they're not impressed. Two cards go up, one comedian leaves the stage. As a showcase of local comedy it's brilliant, but as an insight into human nature it's downright harrowing. Drown your sorrows with a cleansing ale.

The Toxteth
The Toxteth do a good burger and chips and have a big outdoor space that is downright delightful on a summer's eve. There are 12 beers featured on tap including local brewers Barons, as well as all your usual faves. The Toxteth also features a wine-tasting unit, which means you've got the freedom to try lots of different wines at your own pace and discretion.

Ancient Briton
The AB has had a makeover in recent years including an upstairs bar that features an inlaid fishtank filled with tropical fish. Some call it cruel; others like the idea of having the Great Barrier Reef under their schooner glass. There's also a semi-decent beer garden out the back on ground level and regular jazz evenings. Get happy weeknights from 4.30pm–7pm and get two for one drinks, or take part in their Wednesday night music trivia..

The Forest Lodge
There's something on every night of the week at the Frosty, including rock paper scissors on Wednesdays (play your bartender for free drinks), pool comps on Mondays, and free bar snacks on Friday evenings. There's pretty much something every night to keep you going if you're out of pocket and lord knows, most of us are.

The Excelsior
There's toss the boss, happy hours galore, trivia on Tuesdays and live gigs on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Nag's Head
This well preserved terrace pub serves classic pub meals (they do $10 steaks on Tuesdays), features Wednesday trivia, and live music on Thursday and Friday nights. They pour a super-fresh Toohey's Old and the top balcony is the perfect place to sit back in the fresh air and take in the Glebe wildlife.

Bar Broadway

It may not be the most glamorous pub Sydney has to offer, but there's plenty to keep you occupied while you're drinking here. Wednesday is play day from 4–6pm: buy cheap drinks, play $1 pool, test your DJing skills in a 20-minute iPod slot, and you’ll go into the draw to win a $50 bar tab. Once you’ve warmed up the crowd, stick around for dance lessons with Swing Patrol. 

More of Sydney's best bars & pubs? Sign up to our weekly newsletter